Back to OurEnergyLibrary search




2014 Renewable Energy Data Book

2014 Renewable Energy Data Book

Full Title: 2014 Renewable Energy Data Book
Author(s): U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Publisher(s): U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
Publication Date: December 1, 2015
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):

Key Findings:

  • The United States’ overall energy consumption grew to 98.3 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) in 2014, a 1% increase from 2013. Energy consumption from renewables (+3.1%), natural gas (+2.6%), nuclear (+1%), and petroleum (+0.5%) increased compared to 2013, while consumption from coal declined by 0.8%.
  • The United States’ electric power sector energy consumption grew to 38.6 quadrillion Btu in 2014, a 0.5% increase from 2013.
  • In 2014, U.S. renewable electricity2 grew to 15.5% of total installed capacity and 13.5% of total electricity generation. Installed renewable electricity capacity exceeded 179 gigawatts (GW) in 2014, generating 554 terawatt-hours (TWh).
  • In 2014, U.S. hydropower produced nearly half of total renewable electricity generation, wind produced 33%, biomass produced 12%, solar photovoltaics (PV) and concentrating solar power (CSP) produced 6%, and geothermal produced 3%.
  • In 2014, renewable electricity accounted for more than 50% of U.S. electricity capacity additions.
  • In 2014, solar electricity installed capacity increased by more than 54% (5.5 GW), accounting for more than 48% of U.S. renewable electricity capacity installed in 2014.
  • U.S. wind electricity generation increased by 8.3% in 2014. Wind electricity capacity grew by 7.8% (4.8 GW).
  • U.S. electricity capacities of biomass, geothermal, and hydropower have remained relatively stable from 2000 to 2014.
  • Installed global renewable electricity capacity continued to increase and represents 28.5% of total electricity capacity globally in 2014.1
  • Worldwide, solar PV and CSP are among the fastest growing renewable electricity technologies—in 2014 alone, combined capacity increased by more than 28% globally.
  • In 2014, the United States led the world in biodiesel production, followed by Germany, Brazil, Argentina, France, and Indonesia.
  • Globally, new investments in renewables in 2014 grew by 16% from 2013 to $310 billion.

All statements and/or propositions in discussion prompts are meant exclusively to stimulate discussion and do not represent the views of OurEnergyPolicy.org, its Partners, Topic Directors or Experts, nor of any individual or organization. Comments by and opinions of Expert participants are their own.

Sign up for our Press Release Distribution List

    Your Name (required)

    Your Email (required)

    Please sign me up to receive press releases from OurEnergyPolicy.org.